From Sodiq Omolaoye (Abuja) and Ann Godwin and Obinna Nwaoku (Port Harcourt) 

• Knocks Ibas over selection of LG administrators, reconstitution of RSIEC board
• PANDEF warns against destroying democratic structures in Rivers
• HURIWA urges Supreme Court to be swift on emergency ruling suit

The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has faulted the recent retreat reportedly organised by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for suspended members of the Rivers State House of Assembly in the United Kingdom (UK).
 
It described the foreign trip as a wasteful and provocative move that fuels the ongoing democratic crisis in the state.  Despite the Federal High Court order barring the Rivers Sole Administrator (SOLAD), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), from appointing administrators to run the 23 local councils in the state, the SOLAD appointed administrators for the 23 councils.
  
Also, the Pan-Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) cautioned Ibas to stop destroying democratic principles in Rivers. Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Supreme Court to redeem the judiciary’s waning public image by adjudicating judiciously on the matter challenging the proclamation of emergency and suspension of Governor Fubara.
 
Last Sunday, the suspended Rivers lawmakers, led by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, departed Nigeria for the UK. Amaewhule was said to have declared open the 10th Rivers Assembly Legislative Tour of the UK on Friday. He claimed that the legislative tour would allow the House to learn new things outside the shores of Nigeria, which would improve the capacity of members for the task ahead. 
 
But the Executive Director of CHRICED, Ibrahim Zikirullahi, in a statement, yesterday, questioned the basis for the tour, the source of its funding and what purpose it serves for lawmakers facing disciplinary issues.
 
Zikirullahi accused Wike of using his position as FCT Minister to interfere in the affairs of Rivers, saying that such actions fuel instability and erode public trust in democratic institutions.
 
He also described the appointment of 23 local council administrators and the constitution of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) board by Ibas as unconstitutional.
 
According to him, Ibas has no authority to make such appointments, adding that such actions represent a direct affront to the will of the people.“The silence of the Federal Government in the face of these abuses sends a dangerous message: that certain individuals are above the law and that institutions can be hijacked without consequence. This abdication of responsibility undermines the very foundations of Nigeria’s democracy.
 
“CHRICED calls for the immediate restoration of the democratically elected government of Rivers, led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Also, we demand the immediate dismissal of Wike as FCT Minister. Both Wike and Ibas are liabilities to democratic governance and national stability,” he added.
IBAS also appointed new chairman and commissioners for RSIEC. A statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Ibibia Worika, noted that the appointments take effect immediately. 
 
The local council administrators include Mr Okroiyobi Animiete (Abua/Odual), Goodluck Ihenacho (Ahoada East), Promise Jacob (Ahoada West), Dr Tamunotonye Peters (Akuku Toru), Atajit Francis (Andoni), Ibiapuve Charles (Asari Toru), Kingsley Banigo (Bonny), Dr Sokari Francis (Degema), Dr Gloria Dibiah (Eleme), Franklin Ajinwon (Emohua), Dr Onyemachi  Nwankwor (Etche) and Prof. Gospel Kpee (Gokana).
 
Others are Isaiah Nobuawu (Ikwerre), Dr Barinedum Nwibere (Khana), Dr Clifford Walter (Obio Akpor), Dr Chukwuma Aje (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni) and Eliel Owubokiri (Ogu/Bolo), Dr Thompson Isodiki (Okrika), Manager Ikechi (Omuma), Fred Apiafi (Opobo/Nkoro), Eletuuo Ihianacho (Oyigbo), Dr Sam Kalagbor (Port Harcourt) and Nuka Gbipah (Tai).
  
Dr Michael Odey was appointed as the Chairman of RSIEC.
The statement also noted that the SOLAD also approved the reconstitution of some boards of agencies, commissions and parastatals earlier suspended.Ibas had, upon resumption of office after the declaration of emergency in Rivers, sacked all political appointees of Fubara. He also suspended the heads of boards, agencies and parastatals of the state. 
 
PANDEF President, Prof. Godknows Igali, said he noticed a systematic tearing down of various structures, which are important for the continued building and consolidation of democracy in Rivers.
 
He recalled that during the time of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the then Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN), was man enough and had the fear of God to tell the then President that though the parts of the country (i.e. Borno, Adamawa and Yobe) were under foreign invasion, a state of emergency could not result in pulling down the institutions of democratic governance being nurtured after long years of military rule.
 
Igali told Ibas: “It was, therefore, difficult for me, despite that you are a man with a good service record and one of our proud sons, to endorse you. This is because your presence in Rivers is an embarrassing aberration to all men of goodwill and good conscience.”
 
The diplomat, however, expressed hope that the SOLAD would have the courage to undo some of his actions that had so far proven to be over the bar.
HURIWA, in a statement, believed the Nigerian judiciary had lost public confidence and trust due to perceived biased judgments. 
 
It alleged that the incumbent Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), instrumental in the rise of President Tinubu, had been at the centre of controversy, particularly with the judgment that declared Hope Uzodimma the winner of Imo State governorship election, despite coming fourth.
 
The rights group faulted the judgment, claiming that the ruling led to the destabilisation of democratic structures in Rivers and the unconstitutional suspension of Fubara by President Tinubu.
 
According to the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the Supreme Court now has the final opportunity to redeem the judiciary’s image.
Saying that over 98 per cent of Nigerians believe Tinubu has significant influence over the judiciary, he urged the court to prioritise justice and fairness in its decision-making.